Miami Manager Sets Final Workday

August 18, 2002|By David CM-azares Miami Bureau

Miami City Manager Carlos Gimenez, who is credited with helping to restore stability to the city administration that was suffering the fallout of divisive politics, has announced he will resign on Jan. 6.

Gimenez, 48, a former fire chief who has led the city since May 2000, decided to step down after 28 years of service to Miami after a discussion about his future on Monday with Mayor Manny Diaz.

In his letter of resignation, which Gimenez wrote Monday afternoon, he said he would step down after finishing the budget process for fiscal year 2003. He said leaving in January would allow the city time to experience a smooth transition between his administration and his successor's.

"I am extremely proud of my accomplishments in the city, starting as a firefighter and progressing through the ranks to fire chief, and finally, as city manager," Gimenez wrote. "It is time for me to move on and explore new opportunities.

He'll retire from his $140,000 job with a $120,000 pension.

Gimenez succeeded Donald Warshaw, who was fired by former Mayor Joe Carollo, and was kept in the job by Diaz, who was elected in November.

City officials credit Gimenez with helping the city regain its financial footing and sell voters on a much-needed bond issue. He was particularly proud in December, when Miami's Financial Oversight Board announced it was going out of business because it is convinced city officials have the financial control that was lacking in 1996.

Though the city faces many challenges because of its large poor population and declining city facilities, city officials are optimistic about Miami's future, citing high levels of building permits the last few years -- an indicator of growth -- and recent voter approval of a $255 million bond issue.

"Those were big feathers in his cap," City Commissioner Johnny Winton said. "He did all of those things. Obviously he didn't do it without the commission. But he worked hard on it."

But after his meeting with the mayor on Monday, it was clear Gimenez had lost the confidence of Diaz, who plans to conduct a national search for a new administrator.

"They did mutually agree on the fact it was time for a change," said Kelly Penton, a spokeswoman for the mayor.

"The mayor has the right to choose the person of his choosing," Gimenez said.

Winton said Gimenez's departure presents an opportunity for Diaz to appoint a "top-notch" manager. It will also allow Diaz to perform one of the few functions granted him under the city's charter.

"The mayor has the right to appoint the manager," Winton said. "He has the right to veto, and has the bully pulpit. That's it. So if the mayor wants to make a lot of things happen down below the manager's level, he's got to have the right manager because he has no real authority beyond that."

David CM-azares can be reached at dcazares@sun-sentinel.com or 305-810-5012.